County to discuss slot machine referendum

As counties around the state prepare to take proposals for slot machines to referendums, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an opinion that may lead to the state rejecting proposals.

The Attorney General's opinion is just that- an opinion. It carries no official weight, but can be persuasive given her position with the state.

The deck is stacked.

"One of the first actions taken by city council was to adopt a resolution asking the Board of County Commissioners to look at doing a county wide referendum," said Audrey Vance, Bonita Springs City Attorney.

A referendum to allow slot machines in Lee County and at the Naples Fort Myers Greyhound Track.

But this hand isn't playing out as many had hoped.

"This is an issue for the residents of Lee County to decide, not the Attorney General of Florida," said Izzy Havenick of the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi issued this opinion:

"I am of the opinion that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is not authorized to issue a slot machine license in a county which holds a countywide referendum to approve such machines, absent a statute or constitutional provision."

At least one Lee County Commissioner agrees.

"I'm glad to see that the Attorney General has put the skids on this thing and slowed it down," said Commissioner Frank Mann.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation secretary Ken Larson said, "We intend to follow the guidance outlined in the opinion."

"It's basically telling him ' You can't issue these licenses' because that's how she interprets the state statute," said Vance.

A state statute Mann sees the same way

"The legislature is going to have to ultimately give the approval here. That's what the constitution calls for, that's what she's saying. So I don't think people need to get too excited about a local vote because it's probably not going to occur," said Mann.

"It's possible there may be additional court action to get this issue resolved," said Vance.

The next meeting scheduled with Lee County Commissioners on a possible referendum is scheduled for January 24th.

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